The Week in DVR: Idol, Reno 911! Play for Laughs

Wow, did you check that great episode of Access Holly—oops!—I mean, the Golden Globes awards show? I haven’t seen a Bush that uncomfortable since the President’s last press conference. But Billy wasn’t the only one reaching for the Zoloft after that broadcast. Not only did the show foretell the ignominious fate awaiting the Academy Awards telecast, it was a reminder of all the great television currently absent from primetime schedules. With that in mind: on to the week in DVR!

MONDAY

Surveying the television line-up for this week, one can’t help but think of the slogan for the new Tru TV channel (né Court TV): “It’s not reality. It’s actuality.” Reality TV is not a subset of TV any longer. It is TV. NBC won last week based on the strong performances of—are you ready for this?—The Biggest Loser: Couples, American Gladiators, Celebrity Apprentice, and playoff football. Tonight, however, NBC and Gladiators will be facing some stiff (scripted) competition—ah, just like the good ol’ days—on Fox: a new Prison Break (8 p.m.) and the second part of the Terminator-inspired Sarah Connor Chronicles (9 p.m.).

Bonus: Martin Scorsese Presents Val Lewton. The horror director from the ’40s (Cat People, I Walked With a Zombie, and The Leopard Man) is dusted off and his cheap creations marveled at.

TUESDAY

You think Fox is in any hurry to settle the Writers’ Strike? I’ve got two words for you: American Idol (8 p.m.). The seventh season starts tonight in Philadelphia, home to such world-renowned talent as G. Love and, of course, his special sauce. Ew.

Bonus: According to the polls, John McCain and Mitt Romney are neck and neck and Hillary Clinton has a commanding lead over Barack Obama in Michigan, which means Fred Thompson will win by a landslide and Joe Biden will enjoy an easy victory. Those crazy polls, they sure can be wrong!

WEDNESDAY

More Idol (See Tuesday). But tonight, they’re in Dallas, which will certainly provide plenty of unintentional comedy. For the intentional variety, there’s the season premiere of Reno 911! (Comedy Central, 10:30 p.m.). In its five seasons, the Cops! spoof has largely flown under the radar. Watch it hit its stride … seriously.

THURSDAY

A moment of silence, please. With the airing of the last new episode of Grey’s Anatomy (ABC, 9 p.m.) until the strike is over and all of NBC’s comedies in repeats, this once great night of television is officially dead—again. That is until Lost returns.

FRIDAY

20/20 analyzes the modern day scourge of mothers with anorexia (ABC, 10 p.m.). Millions of viewers simultaneously lose their appetites.